FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Three Arizona cities selected for potential partnership with Google Fiber

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer celebrated the announcement that three cities in Metro Phoenix – Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale – have been chosen to participate in the Google Fiber expansion program, which could lead to a potential collaboration bringing fiber-optic cable directly to area residents’ homes.

Metro Phoenix is one of nine new areas selected by Google Fiber for this partnership, a venture that would deliver cable and Internet speeds up to 100 times faster than in most American cities – and position Metro Phoenix as one of the most attractive locations in the nation for high-tech companies.

“This is great news, and further validation of our ongoing work to make Arizona the best state in the country for high-tech companies to do business,” said Governor Brewer. “More than 1,000 communities have sought this opportunity in the past, so it’s a big deal for Metro Phoenix to receive this opportunity, and it really speaks volumes to have a company such as Google take notice of what our state offers in terms of a business-friendly message and the infrastructure and economic opportunities we have to offer.

“If the effort ultimately moves forward, it will further propel Arizona’s economic comeback, but regardless, it makes Arizona even more attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand and position Metro Phoenix toward a thriving high-tech future. I welcome Google Fiber’s announcement and look forward to a potential partnership with this stellar company.”

Google Fiber was first introduced in 2010 as part of a Google challenge inviting U.S. cities to apply to become fiber-optic communities. Kansas City is currently the only city operating with a fiber-optic network, with the process underway in Austin and Provo. Beginning this week, Google will work closely with the city leaders on a joint planning process to explore what it would take to build a brand new fiber-optic network capable of delivering these gigabit speeds throughout the area, and soon will begin meetings with Google to discuss what it would take to plan and prepare the city for a fiber project of this scale.

Google will provide an update on which cities will get Google Fiber by the end of this year.